Process of preparing or treating cocoanut and product obtained thereby



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN BAKER, JR, 0' PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS or PREPAItING- on. TREATING COCOANUT AND PRODUCT OBTAINED THERE-BY.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, F RANKLIN-BAKER, J r.,'

a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented- Processes of Preparing or Treating Cocoanut and Product Obtained Thereby, of which the following is a specification.

-.My invention relates to the preparation, preservation and packing of fresh cocoanut, that is to say the meat or kernel of the fruit, without the original milk, whereby it will keep in a fresh state for a relatively indefinite length of time.

In my prior patents dated June 19, 1917, I have set forth several processes of treating cocoanut, in which I have described in one instance the use of the milk; in another instance the use of sugar, and in another instance a special heat treatment. The essential requisite in the treatment of cocoanut .the whole packed in cans, glasses or any other suitable form of receptacles which are hermetically sealed.

In carrying my process into effect, the cocoanuts are opened in any suitable manner and the milk drained from the same; the kernel or meat of the cocoanut being then cut up, shredded, or grated by any approved or well known means, and then the shredded or grated cocoanut is placed in the cans or other receptacles in which it is to be packed "for sale and subsequent use. I

For the purpose of effecting a complete sterilization of the cocoanut so prepared, it is necessary to subject the same to temperatures relatively high "in order that any bacteria present may be killed and a completely sterilized product produced that will keep in a sweet condition for a relatively long period of time.

In carrying my invention into effect afterthe cocoanut product has been packed in the final receptacle, it issubjected to a temperature of approximately 212 F. in pleno; the

lids or covers of the receptacles being off, and this heating'may take place in a steam Specification of Letters Patent.

in the operating room.

stances it may be desirable some kinds 0 Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application filed October 31, 1917. Serial No. 199,499.

chamber in which the steam is free to cir culate around the cans, and may continue for a period of ten minutes or longer, depending upon various factors, such as the size of the pieces or shreds of cocoanut; the bulk which each can or other receptacle receives, or conditions which might be present In some instances, the heat may be raised to a higher tempera ture if necessary or desirable; sayto 225 F and for a very brief period of time to a much higher temperature.

At the completion of this steaming treatment, the cans or other receptacles filled -with the cocoanut are introduced into a vacuum chamber in which they receive their lids or covers; means being employed to insure a substantially complete extraction of air from the cans prior to the final and complete application of the lids or covers so that the goods are not only packed in vacuo, but an actual vacuum exists within the can or other receptacle. By these means I am enabled to which might be due to an oxidizing effect and, in addition, the absence of air will necessarily enhance the sterilization and keeping qualities of the product.

After the lids or covers have been secured to the cans or other receptacles, they are subjected to a sterilizing temperature which may range from 215 F. to 225 F.; the critical temperature being about 220 F. The cans or other receptacles with the contained-cocoanut are maintained at the desired temperature until the cocoanut has been thoroughly heated through and the bacteria thereof destroyed. The usual period of time for this heat treatment is approximately one-half hour, although in some inor necessary to raise the temperature in the steam pressure chamber to a much higher point, approximately to 250 F for a short period of time, and this ma be necessary when treating cocoanut in which the bacteria present can only be destroyed at the higher heat. This higher temperature is maintained for approximately five minutes. The cans or other receptacles are then withdrawn and allowed to cool at room temperature, or they may be suddenly cooled by being plunged into a suitable cooling fluid immediately upon leaving the final heating chamber. To this end, they may be plunged into a body of cold water, or carried through a prevent discoloration of the product desirable to introduce a sweetening or flavoring material, and for this purpose a small portion of sugar, on the one hand, orsalt. on the other hand, or a combination of both, may be introduced into the cut up cocoanut before or after it is packed in the cans or other receptacles; preferably before it is in-.

troduced therein.

Reference in the claims to the step ofcutting, grating, shredding, or comminuting the cocoanut kernel is not to be construed as limiting my invention to any exact manner of preparing vthe kernel; such language being intended to include any method or means of cutting up or dividing the kernel, in fine or coarse pieces, or both, to make it readily available in carrying out my improvedprocess and for subsequent use as an tacles in 'vacuo, and finally subjecting them article of food.

I claim:

1. The process of preserving cocoanut in a natural moist condition, which consists in separating the milk from the'kernel, finely dividing the kernel, packing the same in receptacles, subjecting the receptacles in pleno prior to closing the same to a sterilizing .temperature, and then closing the receptacles in vacuo whereby the bulk of the air may be removed from the cocoanut and the containers therefor.

2. The process of preserving cocoanut in v and sealed receptacles to a temperature sufiia natural moist-condition, which consists in separating the milk from the kernel, finely dividing the kernel, packing the same in receptacles, heating the receptacles e'n'pleno prior to closing the same, hermetically closing the receptacles in vacuo whereby the bulk ofthe air maybe removed from the cocoanut and the containers'therefor, and subjectin the hermetically sealed receptacles to a .higfi temperature suflicient to kill any bacteria present in the cocoanut.

3. The process of preserving cocoanut in a natural moist condition, which consists in finely dividing the kernel, packingthe same in receptacles, subjecting the. receptacles in pleno prior to closing the same to a sterilizing temperature ranging from 212 F. to 225 F., hermetically closing the receptacles in vacuo, and subjecting the hermetically sealed receptacles to a high temperature sufficient to kill any bacteria present in the cocoanut.

4. The process of preserving cocoanut in a natural moist condition, which consists in finely dividing the kernel, packing the same in receptacles, heating the open receptacles pleno to a temperature of approximately 212 F. to 225 F.; the latter temperature being effected under pressure, introducing the heated receptacles into, a vacuum chamber whereby the air may be extracted therefrom, hermetically closing the receptacles in 'vacuo, and subjecting the filled and sealed receptacles to a temperature sufiicient to completely sterilize the contents thereof.

5. The process of preserving cocoanut in a natural moist condition without the original milk, which consists in separating the milk from the kernel, finely dividing the kernel, packing the same in receptacles, heating the open receptacles in pleno to a temperature of approximately 212 F. to 225 F., introducing the heated receptacles into a vacuum chamber whereby the air may be extracted therefrom, effecting a closing of the recepto a temperature suiiicient to completely sterilize the contents; which temperature cient to completely sterilize the contents thereof, and suddenly cooling the receptacles and their contents by introducing them into a cooling fluid immediately upon leaving the final heating chamber.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a hermetically sealed package of completely sterilized cocoanut kernel in a finely divided state fromwhich the air has been extracted.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a hermetically sealed package of completely sterilized cocoanut kernel in a finely divided state confined in vacuo and from which the bulk of the air has been excluded.

- FRANKLIN BAKER, JR. 

